HIS FIRST REVERSE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 269, 12 November 1937, Page 14

HIS FIRST REVERSE.

DEFEAT OF MIRZA.

DOES NOT STAY.

ONSLAUGHT IS PROMISING.

The flying Mirza 11. has gone into retirement for the winter, and hope of his taking a part in next season's classic events must, I am afraid, be abandoned. It is likely, however, that he will become the champion sprinter. This is the Aga Khan's consolation for the fact that the colt has not been endowed with more stamina (says our London correspondent).

It was again revealed in the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket that Mirza. does not stay six furlongs. He would have won it if the distance had been even a hundred yards shorter, though his stride had begun to shorten before this point was reached. On this occasion the youngster was allowed to run his own race. He flew from the tapes, and almost in a flash he was four lengths ahead,, It did not look as though he could be caught. Indeed, for five furlongs he displayed matchless speed.

But, as though he suspected what might happen, Gordon Richards, riding Scottish Union, kept his eyes on Mirza, and. as soon as he saw that the leader had begun to slow down, he brought his mount along. It was a superb piece of jockeyship, and only a rider of his quick discernment would have snatched the prize. The rising ground to the winning post took, the sting out of the Aga Khan's representative, and, when Scottish Union got his nose in front, Mirza 11. was all out. It wa« suggested that Smirke ought to have driven Mirza harder, but the colt had obviously given of his best, and, had he been pressed farther, his future might have been seriously prejudiced.

It was not as strong a field as usual, but Unbreakable was one of the runners, and it is possible that he was unbalanced by Mirza's terrific pace. He undoubtedly sprawled badly going down the hill. As for Scottish Union, his success was a surprise. A Cameronian colt, who cost 3000 guineas, he was not counted among the top-notchers, but the manner in. which he raced up the hill was a guarantee of his stamina, and there are always possibilities for a colt of such apparent strength. Several horses were kept a.way owing to the hard> state of the ground. One of those absent, who had seized the fancy of the Newmarket watchers, was Onslaught, who belongs to Lord Derby. He has not been out since he created a big impression at Goodwood.